Hops = Spring

In addition to being an essential ingredient of beer, you probably associate hops with the fall harvest and the excellent fresh hop ales which quickly follow. I do too. But I also appreciate hops at a different time of year.  Hops are one of the first things out of the ground in the spring. In…

Bayern Maibock: Another Good Spring Arrival

For my taste, Bayern’s Killarney never lasts long enough, though perhaps that what makes it something to really look forward to each St. Patrick’s Day.  But my sadness at its quick disappearance never lasts too long. Right on its heels each year comes Bayern’s Maibock Lager which I found in stores this week. It is…

Maibock in Whiskey Barrels? Really?

Yes, really. Dead Guy Ale is a mainstay of Rogue Brewing. I’ve always been surprised it is a maibock because the hop profile seems too bitter, but nevertheless, that’s what Rogue calls it. I’ve generally not found Dead Guy Ale, to my liking. But when I saw John John Dead Guy Ale on tap at…